Brad Flory column: Role of Jackson soldiers in Civil War is worth remembering

The second half of April marks an anniversary of perhaps Jackson’s most exciting days.

Exactly 150 years ago, Jackson reacted fervently to what it considered a rebellion by Southern traitors who fired on Fort Sumter on April 12.

“While we are citizens of the state of Michigan, and as such deeply devoted to her interests and honors, we have a still prouder title,” said the new governor, Austin Blair, who lived in Jackson.

“We are also citizens of the United States of America.”

William H. Withington of Jackson, a future Medal of Honor recipient, called the local militia to the armory April 15 to serve in “the present emergency.”

Jackson Hall overflowed that same night with townspeople who, regardless of political party, supported the union with songs, speeches and proclamations.

“This was a town united,” said Bill Lowe of Summit Township, a member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and an expert on Jackson’s role in the war. “This town was 100 percent behind its troops.”

The Jackson Grays, about 90 militia men, volunteered to fight as Company B of the First Michigan Infantry. The night before the Grays left Jackson, they met at the Congregational Church, receiving prayers and $110 collected for their support.

Mustering into the federal army May 1 in Detroit, the Grays traveled first to Washington, where troops were urgently needed.

When the First Michigan Infantry arrived at the capital, President Abraham Lincoln reportedly said, “Thank God for Michigan!”

The Jackson Grays soon fought in the Civil War’s first major battle, an inglorious Union defeat at Bull Run in July.

One member of the Jackson Grays died of disease, and four were captured by Confederates.

Bull Run basically concluded the Grays’ wartime service, because the First Michigan Infantry signed up for just 90 days. Victory had been predicted by harvest time, and southerners were equally overconfident.

Many of the Jackson Grays re-enlisted in other units to fight, and in some cases die, in other battles. Ten percent of Jackson’s population would eventually serve in the Civil War.

April’s excitement gave way to a grim realization that a long and bloody national ordeal was at hand.

“Nobody thought this war was going to last any period at all,” Lowe said of the initial fervor. “They had no comprehension of what the next four years would be like.”

One hundred and fifty years later, it remains an anniversary that ought to be remembered.